Practice report: Robinson, Taylor turn heads with strong play

Published: Friday, August 8, 2014 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Saturday, August 9, 2014 at 12:22 a.m.

QUARTERBACK UPDATE: Starter Jeff Driskel had another good practice and has become very consistent with his accuracy and decision making. He made some really nice throws on the run, including a deep ball that spiraled just out of wide receiver Alvin Bailey's reach. The pass, made with what appeared to be just a flick of the wrist, went about 60 yards in the air. True freshmen Will Grier and Treon Harris both had a better night throwing the ball. Grier threw a touchdown pass to Bailey in seven-on-seven, and Harris appeared very comfortable (and accurate) throwing on the run. Sophomore Skyler Mornhinweg, who threw a touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson, seemed to get more snaps than Grier and Harris with the No. 2 offense.

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TRENDING ON OFFENSE: The offensive star of the night might have been a tossup between wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and sophomore tailback Kelvin Taylor. Robinson had two touchdown receptions of about 30 yards and was a popular target for the quarterbacks. Taylor, who is quicker, stronger and faster than last season, showed his explosiveness coming out of cuts in impressive back-to-back runs late in practice. He seems to be the clear starter at this point, even though Mack Brown and Matt Jones are also getting plenty of reps. … During third-down situations, Driskel threw a beautiful pass to Latroy Pittman for about a 20-yard gain and Harris hooked up with tight end Tevin Westbrook for about a 15-yard gain and a first down. … Adam Lane was very powerful and effective running the ball in the Oklahoma drill. He also got a good push from the offensive line. … Driskel completed an 18-yard pass in the flat to Quinton Dunbar, who had numerous catches on the night. … Tyler Moore was back running with the first team at offensive guard, while Trenton Brown moved down to the second team. … Other than Jones, the tailbacks had problems catching the ball in passing drills. … Showing the receivers how to run a certain route by doing it himself, Kurt Roper caught the pass and then spiked the ball, drawing a cheer from the wide receivers.

TRENDING ON DEFENSE: The defense dominated the offense during third-down situations late in practice, getting stops on the majority of plays. Coverage in the secondary was very good and the defensive front had a strong, consistent pass rush, led by Jonathan Bullard and Darious Cummings. … Getting a bunch of reps with starting cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III sidelined, true freshman Quincy Wilson got a bunch of reps Friday night and was very physical matching up against the wide receivers. He also covered well. … Redshirt freshman safety Nick Washington had a big hit on freshman wide receiver Ryan Sousa in the flat on an attempted screen pass.

TRUE FRESHMAN SPOTLIGHT: Early indications are that wide receiver C.J. Worton, a former FSU commitment, is going to see playing time on offense in the fall. He's been running with the No. 2 offense and has shown excellent route running ability, speed and hands.

PLAY OF THE DAY: Alvin Bailey's touchdown reception on a deep pass down the sideline from true freshman quarterback Will Grier. Bailey streaked through two defenders to make the catch.

INJURY UPDATE: All-SEC cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III was receiving treatment for a bruised knee and did not practice. He is day-to-day; outside linebacker Matt Rolin has recovered from ACL surgery but is being limited to working out in the injury pit in practice as a precaution; true freshman defensive tackle Thomas Holley is still recovering from sports hernia surgery and is not quite ready to practice; true freshman tight end C'yontai Lewis was held out of practice with a thigh contusion.

NEXT OPEN PRACTICE: Today, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m, for Gator Booster season ticket holders only, Dizney Stadium. Next practice open to the public is Monday, 8:50-11 a.m., Dizney Stadium.

<p><b>QUARTERBACK UPDATE:</b> Starter Jeff Driskel had another good practice and has become very consistent with his accuracy and decision making. He made some really nice throws on the run, including a deep ball that spiraled just out of wide receiver Alvin Bailey's reach. The pass, made with what appeared to be just a flick of the wrist, went about 60 yards in the air. True freshmen Will Grier and Treon Harris both had a better night throwing the ball. Grier threw a touchdown pass to Bailey in seven-on-seven, and Harris appeared very comfortable (and accurate) throwing on the run. Sophomore Skyler Mornhinweg, who threw a touchdown pass to Demarcus Robinson, seemed to get more snaps than Grier and Harris with the No. 2 offense.</p><p><b>TRENDING ON OFFENSE:</b> The offensive star of the night might have been a tossup between wide receiver Demarcus Robinson and sophomore tailback Kelvin Taylor. Robinson had two touchdown receptions of about 30 yards and was a popular target for the quarterbacks. Taylor, who is quicker, stronger and faster than last season, showed his explosiveness coming out of cuts in impressive back-to-back runs late in practice. He seems to be the clear starter at this point, even though Mack Brown and Matt Jones are also getting plenty of reps. … During third-down situations, Driskel threw a beautiful pass to Latroy Pittman for about a 20-yard gain and Harris hooked up with tight end Tevin Westbrook for about a 15-yard gain and a first down. … Adam Lane was very powerful and effective running the ball in the Oklahoma drill. He also got a good push from the offensive line. … Driskel completed an 18-yard pass in the flat to Quinton Dunbar, who had numerous catches on the night. … Tyler Moore was back running with the first team at offensive guard, while Trenton Brown moved down to the second team. … Other than Jones, the tailbacks had problems catching the ball in passing drills. … Showing the receivers how to run a certain route by doing it himself, Kurt Roper caught the pass and then spiked the ball, drawing a cheer from the wide receivers.</p><p><b>TRENDING ON DEFENSE:</b> The defense dominated the offense during third-down situations late in practice, getting stops on the majority of plays. Coverage in the secondary was very good and the defensive front had a strong, consistent pass rush, led by Jonathan Bullard and Darious Cummings. … Getting a bunch of reps with starting cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III sidelined, true freshman Quincy Wilson got a bunch of reps Friday night and was very physical matching up against the wide receivers. He also covered well. … Redshirt freshman safety Nick Washington had a big hit on freshman wide receiver Ryan Sousa in the flat on an attempted screen pass.</p><p><b>TRUE FRESHMAN SPOTLIGHT:</b> Early indications are that wide receiver C.J. Worton, a former FSU commitment, is going to see playing time on offense in the fall. He's been running with the No. 2 offense and has shown excellent route running ability, speed and hands.</p><p><b>PLAY OF THE DAY:</b> Alvin Bailey's touchdown reception on a deep pass down the sideline from true freshman quarterback Will Grier. Bailey streaked through two defenders to make the catch.</p><p><b>INJURY UPDATE:</b> All-SEC cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III was receiving treatment for a bruised knee and did not practice. He is day-to-day; outside linebacker Matt Rolin has recovered from ACL surgery but is being limited to working out in the injury pit in practice as a precaution; true freshman defensive tackle Thomas Holley is still recovering from sports hernia surgery and is not quite ready to practice; true freshman tight end C'yontai Lewis was held out of practice with a thigh contusion.</p><p><b>NEXT OPEN PRACTICE:</b> Today, 10:45 a.m.-12:45 p.m, for Gator Booster season ticket holders only, Dizney Stadium. Next practice open to the public is Monday, 8:50-11 a.m., Dizney Stadium.</p>